Flexible tube closure

ABSTRACT

Tube closure devices comprising bendable members, each having a pair of arms connected together by integral hinges are disclosed. Coacting latch arrangements are disposed on the extending ends of the arms to latch the arms over sections of flexible tubes which are placed under compression via the closure devices. Raised floor sections on at least one of the arms serve to compress and sealingly close the tube such that residual pressures are provided in a closure. Alternate curved floor sections also assure a sealed closure and provide strain relief means in a closure where the flexible tubes join closure devices.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Leon Joel Dinger Harrisburg, Pa. [2l]Appl. No. 812,811 [22] Filed Apr. 2, 1969 [45] Patented Oct. 12, 1971 [73] Assignee AMP Incorporated Harrisburg, Pa.

[54] FLEXIBLE TUBE CLOSURE 1 Claim, 8 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 251/10, 24/23 W, 24/255 SL, 251/9 [51] Int. Cl F1611 7/04[50] Field of Search 251/4, 9, 10; 128/346; 24/l29.2, 255 SL, 248 BB[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,040,749 6/1962 Payton24/248 X 1,337,247 4/1920 Maier 251/8 2,498,372 2/1950 Kortlucke et al.128/346 3,247,852 4/1966 Schneider 3,461,876 8/l969 M11161 PrimaryExaminer-M. Cary Nelson Assistant Examiner-Richard GerardAttorneys-Curtis, Morris and Safford, Marshall M.

Holcombe, William Hintze, William .I. Keating, Frederick W. Raring, JohnR. Hopkins, Adrian J. LaRue and Jay L. Seitchik ABSTRACT: Tube closuredevices comprising bendable members, each having a pair of armsconnected together by integral hinges are disclosed. Coacting latcharrangements are disposed on the extending ends of the arms to latch thearms over sections of flexible tubes which are placed under compressionvia the closure devices. Raised floor sections on at least one of thearms serve to compress and sealingly close the tube such that residualpressures are provided in a closure. Alternate curved floor sectionsalso assure a sealed closure and provide strain relief means in aclosure where the flexible tubes join closure devices.

FLEXIBLE TUBE T PATENTEDUEHZIQYI 3 61? 475 sum 18F 2 INVENTOR LEON JOELDI GE mm ifi- PATENTEU GET 1 2197| 3612.475 SHEET 2 OF 2 END SEGMENT 0FCOLLECTION TUBE 40 l 1 CDb I I 7 4e TUBE T" 42 so as SEGMENT un I ToCOLLECTION INVENTOR LEON JOEL DINGER BYORNL-aM FLEXIBLE TUBE CLOSUREThis invention relates to closure devices of the type used to sealinglyclose flexible tubes.

In blood donating operations, flexible bags are generally used tocollect and store human blood. Flexible tubes extending from the bagsare used for a twofold purpose: First, they convey blood from the donorto the collection bag; secondly, they are used to house small samples ofblood. Immediately after a donation, the technician closes the tube atintermittent sections along the length thereof. The sections may beindividually removed at a later time so that the samples therein may betested.

It is imperative that the ends of the tube be hermetically sealed sothat the blood in the collection bag does not become contaminated.

Most prior tube closure devices are in the form of an intricate clip orclamp which is usually deformed when secured around a tube. This usuallyrequires a special tool to deform thefdevice onto the tube. Other tubeclosure means include an intricate welding or heat-sealing apparatus.

It is an object of this invention to provide closure devices forflexible tubes which are simple in construction, which are quick andeasy to use, and which are made from nylon or other suitable plastic.

Another object is the provision of closure devices for flexible tubeswhich are simple in construction which are quick and easy to use, andwhich are made of bendable metal such as aluminum.

An additional object is to provide closure devices which willhermetically seal flexible tubes without the aid of intricateapplication tooling.

Afurther object is to provide a closure device which may be reopened andreused.

Still another object is the provision of closure devices of the typedescribed which, due to their unique simplicity of design, can bemanufactured inexpensively, and therefore they can be marketed asinexpensive items.

Other objects and attainments of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the followingdetailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings inwhich there are shown and described illustrative embodiments of theinvention; it is to be understood, however, that these embodiments arenot intended to be exhaustive nor limiting of the invention but aregiven for purposes of illustration in order that others skilled in theart may fully understand the invention and the principles thereof andthe manner of applying it in practical use so that they may modify it invarious forms, each as may be best suited to the conditions of aparticular use.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a closure device in an open position inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a tube closure device in a closedposition on a flexible tube and showing the tube in cross section;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment in an openposition;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken transversely through a tubeclosure of FIG. 3 in a closed position on a flexible tube;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of still another embodiment in an openposition;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the closure device of FIG. 5 closedonto a flexible tube;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken longitudinally through a pair ofclosure devices of FIG. 5 showing a flexible tube compressed; and

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment in an openposition.

Referring to FIG. I, a closure device CD comprises a pair of arms 2 and4 secured together at one end by a hinge portion 6 to define a one-piececlosure device which is molded from a suitable plastic material inaccordance with conventional provided with a bevelled recess 10. Theinside surface 12 of arm 2 is flat along the length of the arm fromhinge 6 to recess 10. The extending end portion 14 of arm 4 tenninatesin a triangular-shaped projection 16 having a ledge portion 18 thereon.The recess of arm 2 cooperates with sloped surface 17 of projection 16when the arms are closed such that ledge 18 snappingly receives ledge20. to latch the arms together. The floor 22 of arm 4 is transversallyarcuate from hinge 6 to triangular-shaped projection 16, so that floor22 is arcuate in a direction normal with respect to the axis of theclosure device. End is provided with tapered surface 19 and surface 17acts to cam end 15 out far enough via engagement of surface 19 therewithso that ledge 20 can be latchably mated with ledge 18.

In use, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a device CD is disposed over aflexible tube T whereafter the device is closed to sandwich the tubebetween anns 2 and 4. During closing, the tube becomes compressedbetween arcuate floor 22 and flat surface 12. At final closing of thedevice, ledge 20 of arm 2 snaps into place and engages ledge 18 on arm 4to latch the arms together. Also at final closing, the extreme ends 21and 23 of arcuate floor 22 are pulled upwardly, thus tending tostraighten floor 22. This arrangement provides residual forces in thedevice, which continually compress tube T to insure a sealed closure.Tapered surface 19 of end 15 is spaced from straight surface 24 toenable gripping end 15 or placing a tool between surfaces 15 and 24 tounlatch arms 2 and 4 from each other.

Referring to FIG. 3 and 4, another closure device CDa comprises a pairof arms 2 and 4' which are secured together at one end by an integralhinge 6'. This closure device and its latching arrangement to latch thearms together are identical to the device of FIGS. 1 and 2 with theexception of floor 22'. Floor 22, from hinge 6' to projection 16', isarcuately curved from one side 3 of arm 4' to the other side 5 of arm 4'as illustrated in FIG. 4 to provide a convex surface. The curve isdisposed so that its highest portion 25 is directly along the center offloor 22 from hinge 6' to projection 16'.

In use, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a closure device CDa is disposedover a flexible tube T, whereafter the device is closed to sandwich thetube between arms 2' and 4'. During closing, the tube T becomescompressed between arcuate floor 22' and flat surface 12'. At finalclosing, the latching arrangement, as described above, latches the arms2' and 4' together. In this embodiment, the highest portion 25' ofarcuate floor 22' compresses tube T' tightly in the center across aclosure device,'FlG. 4. Tube T becomes sealed in the closure device byvirtue of high compression forces in the center of the device. The tubeT' blends gradually outwardly from the device by virtue of curved floor22 to define a strain relief for tube T.

It should be noted that the above devices have latch arrangements whichmay be opened, if desired. To open, ledge 20 in arm 2 is removed fromledge I8 in am 4 to allow arm 2 to spring back to its original openposition. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the latch arrangement,which is identical to that of FIGS. I and 2, is removed as describedabove.

It should also be noted that other irregular surfaces such as grooves,ridges, bumps or serrations may be provided on the inner surfaces of oneor both arms, if desired.

Referring to FIG. 5, another closure device CDb comprises a pair ofV-shaped closure members 30 and 32 which are identical in shape andwhich are formed from bendable metal, such as, for example, aluminum.Members 30 and 32 are fabricated from flat sheet stock, and they arejoined by an integral strap 34 to provide a one-piece closure device.Each member has a pair of arms 36 and 38 which are connected byrespective bights 40 acting as hinges. The extending ends of arms 36terminate in tabs 42 which are identical for each member and which arereduced in width from the width of arms 36 so as to be centrallydisposed relative thereto. Tabs 42 are bent to a hook shape so as to bedirected inwardly towards arms 38. The ends of arms 38 have recesses 44defining slots to receive tabs 42. inwardly directed ridges or ribs 46are formed in members 30 and 32 so as to be disposed on the flatsurfaces 48 of arms 36, along hinges 40 and on floor surfaces 50 of arms38. The ribs may be disposed only in the members 30 and 32 and offsetrelative to one another or only one of members 30 and 32 may be providedwith a rib.

In use, as illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, a double closure device 30and 32 is disposed over a flexible tube T" whereafter the device isclosed to sandwich the tube between arms 36 and 38. During closing, thetube T becomes generally compressed between surfaces 48 and 50 of thearms, and it is tightly compressed between ridges 46, see FIG. 7. Whenthe devices 30 and 32 are fully closed, tabs 42 are disposed inrespective recesses .44, and they are bent inwardly along anns 38, seeFIG. 6. This arrangement latches the devices onto a tube and preventsthen from being accidentally removed. The devices may be removed, ifdesired, by bending tabs 42 out of their respective recesses 44 andopening the arms 36 and 38. The closure devices may be closed onto atube by a simple handtool such as pliers, or they may be disposed in asimple applicator of the staple type (not shown).

Referring particularly to FIG. 7, if at some later time a sample ofblood is to be checked, the end test segment of a collection tube isremoved by severing a closure device along the broken line through strap34. After severing, the end segment of the collection tube remainsclosed and sealed by closure device 30, and the next segment (now theend segment) remains closed and sealed by closure device 32. The segmentremoval procedure may be continued from time-to-time until all testsegments are removed.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the closure devices 30 and 32 may be coatedwith plastic material 52 in accordance with conventional plastic-coatingtechniques such as, for example, dipping, spraying or fluidized bed. Theplastic coating will not only eliminate sharp edges on the closuredevice proper which may snag a tube, but it will add to the sealingcharacteristics of a closure device.

It should be noted that closure devices according to this invention maybe used on plastic tubes other than those of blood collection apparatus.The devices may also be used on other flexible tubes such as elastomericmaterial. The devices not only provide a liquid seal, but they alsoprovide an airtight seal.

It will, therefore, be appreciated that the aforementioned and otherdesirable objects have been achieved; however, it should be emphasizedthat the particular embodiments of the invention, which are shown anddescribed herein, are intended as merely illustrative and not asrestrictive of the invention.

The invention is claimed in accordance with the following:

1. In a closure device of unitary resilient construction having firstand second arms integral with and diverging from a hinge, together withlatching structure for latching together said arms, the improvementscomprising:

a depending hook-shaped end portion on said first arm and provided witha first ledge portion in spaced relationship from and spanning thetransverse dimension of said first arm and defining an adjacent recessextending the entire transverse dimension of said first arm,

said second arm having an inner surface including an arcuate convexportion extending the entire transverse dimension of said second arm,

said second arm having a projecting end portion projecting above theinner surface of said second arm,

said projecting end portion having a triangular-shaped projection withone side of said triangular-shaped projection being exposed along aplanar surface and forming an elongated planar sloped surface,

another side of said triangular portion defining a second ledge portion,

said projecting end portion being substantially entirely received insaid recess of said first arm and substantially tightly fitting withsaid recess, with said led e portions engaging each other therebylatching toge er said arms, and

said second arm having the ends thereof pulled upwardly from astraightened configuration of said second arm and providing residualforces tending to return said second arm to said straightenedconfiguration.

1. In a closure device of unitary resilient construction having firstand second arms integral with and diverging from a hinge, together withlatching structure for latching together said arms, the improvementscomprising: a depending hook-shaped end portion on said first arm andprovided with a first ledge portion in spaced relationship from andspanning the transverse dimension of said first arm and defining anadjacent recess extending the entire transverse dimension of said firstarm, said second arm having an inner surface including an arcuate convexportion extending the entire transverse dimension of said second arm,said second arm having a projecting end portion projecting above theinner surface of said second arm, said projecting end portion having atriangular-shaped projection with one side of said triangular-shapedprojection being exposed along a planar surface and forming an elongatedplanar sloped surface, another side of said triangular portion defininga second ledge portion, said projecting end portion being substantiallyentirely received in said recess of said first arm and substantiallytightly fitting with said recess, with said ledge portions engaging eachother thereby latching together said arms, and said second arm havingthe ends thereof pulled upwardly from a straightened configuration ofsaid second arm and providing residual forces tending to return saidsecond arm to said straightened configuration.